‘Stiff-armed’: Iowa Christian school’s generous offer for vacant building rejected by Iowa public school in favor of low-ball bid from developer

An Iowa public school board rejected the bid of a Christian school to buy district property, even though the offer came in at over twice the winning bid.

The decision comes days before a new state law takes effect, which would have likely required the district to accept religious school’s bid.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) denied Isaac Newton Christian Academy’s (INCA) offer to purchase Garfield Elementary School at a public meeting on Monday.

“Last year, a loss of $1.5 million from our general fund was attributed to the 196 students choosing Isaac Newton Christian Academy,” said the district’s Chief Financial Officer Karla Hogan. “Considering the potential to double their student [count], our financial losses also double.

“It’s not a sound business decision to sell these properties to organizations that will affect the overall financial health of our district.” 

The CRCSD board instead accepted a $160,000 deal with an apartment developer over INCA’s $375,000 cash offer.  

“We tried as much as six to eight months ago [to] extend an offer and express interest in purchasing the facility, and we were stiff-armed throughout the entirety of the process,” Amy McDonald, president of the school’s board of directors, told The Lion. 

“Their rationale for accepting a lower bid was because they view us as a competitor.” 

Founded in 1989, INCA serves over 350 students in grades pre-K-12.  

McDonald said its first and current building was also once an empty Cedar Rapids public school. But now, the Christian school needs even more space. 

“Over those 30 years we have grown. We’ve seen dramatic growth post-COVID,” she explained. “We are at capacity at our current site, and [Garfield Elementary’s] location is ideal. It’s a mile and a half from our current facility.” 

The district’s rejection comes just days before a new law takes effect that would have required it to favor other educational institutions when selling school facilities.  

“We do view them as pushing this through in advance of that legislation,” McDonald told The Lion. “Our perspective is the legislation was closing an unintended loophole, so they are taking action contrary to the governor’s administrative intent and the pending legislation.” 

She was unable to comment whether INCA was pursuing any further action on the matter.  

“We stand firm in our belief that God always remains faithful; and His plan for Isaac Newton Christian Academy will come to pass,” stated the school’s press release on Monday. 

The Cedar Rapids school district did not respond to The Lion’s request for comment.